Troops of Operation WHIRL STROKE have killed a suspected bandit and recovered weapons and ammunition during a patrol in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
The operation was carried out on September 2, 2026, along the Gbise-Igyudu Road, according to the Acting Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu.
Zubairu said troops from Sector 1 encountered two suspected bandits riding on a motorcycle while conducting a fighting patrol in the area.
The suspects were reportedly armed, prompting the soldiers to engage them in a gun battle.
During the encounter, one of the suspects was killed, while the second suspect escaped from the scene after being overpowered by the troops.
The soldiers subsequently conducted a search and clearance operation around the area to ensure the fleeing suspect did not pose an immediate danger to residents.
Recovered items included a pistol and pistol magazine, an AK-47 magazine, eight rounds of 7.62mm Special ammunition, one 7.62mm NATO round, two rounds of 9mm ammunition and one PKT round.
The troops also recovered a Tecno mobile phone and assorted charms believed to have been abandoned by the suspects.
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The Joint Task Force urged residents to remain alert and promptly provide credible information about suspicious movements and activities to security agencies.
Zubairu stressed that timely information from members of the public remained essential to helping security forces respond quickly to emerging threats and protect communities.
He added that Operation WHIRL STROKE would sustain patrols and intelligence-led operations across its area of responsibility to disrupt criminal networks and prevent them from threatening law-abiding citizens.
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